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RECOMMENDED

HERE AT SINGLETRACK TOWERS, WE PUT A LOT OF PRODUCTS THROUGH THE GRINDER. SINGLETRACK RECOMMENDED IS THE ABSOLUTE CREAM OF THE CROP OF THE GEAR WE’VE BEEN TESTING. IT’S THE KIT THAT WE USE LONG AFTER TESTING HAS FINISHED. THE PRODUCTS THAT WE WOULD GO OUT AND PURCHASE WITH OUR OWN MONEY. GEAR THAT’S SO GOOD IT EARNS OUR RECOMMENDED SEAL OF APPROVAL.

While it’s all very nice to play around with chichi components like Shimano’s XTR, or its electronic shifting Di2 groups, the majority of the world is more likely to be riding around on regular groupsets, like Shimano’s more down to earth SLX and Deore groups.

After its last outing in 2013, the SLX groupset was due a redesign and it was no surprise to see the fresh SLX M7000 groupset take many influences from XT and XTR. The biggest changes were probably in the slimming down of the brakes and the increase of gear ratios. SLX went 11-speed, while also heralding in wider 11–40T, 11–42T and, recently 11–46T cassettes to give a greater range of gears, whether running it 1x11 or 2x11 (there’s even a 3x10, though we doubt we’ll see many of those in the UK).

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Find the complete article and many more in this issue of
Singletrack
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114

About Singletrack

This issue has adventures from every corner of Britain, plus features from far flung corners of the globe. Whether you’re stay-cationing or joining the jet-setters, this summer issue is sure to have you occupied for those hours by the pool or sheltering from the rain outside your tent.
(Hand) Made In China – We get unprecedented behind the scenes access to some of the bike factories in China and Taiwan. Is it a sorry sight of oppressed workers in shabby conditions? Or skilled bike builders in state of the art facilities?
Classic Ride: Northern Ireland – Ian Bailey finds us a rare legal loop around the trails of Northern Ireland.
Trail Hunter: Snowdon – Just because something is popular doesn’t mean it can’t be a classic. Tom Fenton opts for the dawn raid on the highest peak in Wales.
Bike Test: Killer Hardtails (in Innsbruck) – Three tough trail hardtails from Kona, Nukeproof and Trillion make the trip to Innsbruck to see just how capable a modern hardtail can be.
Group Test: Hi-Tech Tyres – James Vincent checks out the current generation of burly rubber. Is there such a thing as a tyre for all seasons? Or even a tyre for a whole Lake District ride? He’s been getting the punctures so you don’t have to.
Interview: Keith Bontrager – Keith has been designing bikes and components since the eighties. He invented the mantra ‘Cheap, light, strong – pick two’ and has been behind Trek’s component line for over two decades. Chipps tries to get a little more than the usual stock answers to the stock questions.
Column – Jason Miles discusses the merits of riding the wrong bike.
Room 101 – Charlie the Bikemonger decides which bike world items and issues shall be thrown to the bears, or whatever it is that lives beyond the door of Room 101, and what shall be allowed to continue to roam our earth.
ST Recommended – We’ve picked three products so good that you need to go out and buy them now. All of them.
Oddball: Fuel – Coffee…